GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 8TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21015508

About the role

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida's award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Florida's dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence, and child-centered representation. The Assistant Child Advocate Manager position offers an extremely interesting and challenging, entry-level opportunity for jobseekers engaged in a career of social work and family service.

Responsibilities

• Visiting children and youth in foster care or group care and assessing their safety and well-being
• Working with a local team or staff in other circuits to convey information about a child’s progress, verbally or in writing
• Contacting children, caregivers, and service providers in other judicial circuits to determine progress of children placed outside their home circuit
• Gathering and documenting pertinent case information
• Providing recommendations and written reports to members of the advocacy team
• Tracking the status of case plan compliance, updating and retrieving files
• Conducting collateral contacts with schools, caregivers, and service providers
• Attending internal and external case-related conferences, staffings, and meetings
• Making regular contact with a variety of social service agencies and professionals
• Utilizing the organization’s database and reporting systems
• Participating in internal and external training, meetings, and conferences

Requirements

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License
• Associates degree from an accredited college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science. Knowledge of the dependency system and one year of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, preferred

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and achievement oriented
• Ability to take direction and work cooperatively as part of a team
• Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
• Ability to effectively interact with and/or influence people of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy, and maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational/time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent oral, writing, and computer literacy skills
• Able to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations
• Knowledge of case management, social support services, and concepts of child development
• Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health
• Knowledge of the Florida State Courts System
• Knowledge of Florida Statutes relating to child welfare and protection

Skills

• Self-motivated and achievement oriented
• Ability to take direction and work cooperatively as part of a team
• Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
• Ability to effectively interact with and/or influence people of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy, and maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational/time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent oral, writing, and computer literacy skills
• Able to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations
• Knowledge of case management, social support services, and concepts of child development
• Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health
• Knowledge of the Florida State Courts System
• Knowledge of Florida Statutes relating to child welfare and protection

Benefits

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. The Office offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or Investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Life insurance, $25,000, is provided by the state at a pro-rated cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• Additional supplemental insurances are available such as dental, vision, disability, etc.
• Flexible spending account
• Nine paid state holidays each calendar year
• One paid personal holiday each fiscal year
• 13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
• 13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida
• No mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled shifts